The weekend football preview

It was an exciting and record breaking International break with Wayne Rooney becoming England’s all-time top scorer and Wales breaking into the top 10 in the Fifa world rankings for the first time in their history. But we still missed the unrivalled excitement of the Premiership and are happy to welcome it back into our lives this weekend.

Game of the weekend:

Man United vs. Liverpool – Fans of both of these sides will tell you this is the first game they look for when the fixture list is released. Man United will hope record breaking Rooney can get his first goal of the season, and what more motivation do you need than breaking a record held by Sir Bobby Charlton the week before? Liverpool have been cruising so far this season and just before the International break were handed a 3 – 0 whopping by West Ham.

The main reason this fixture is my game to watch this weekend is because both sides have been playing fairly slow and neither team are at their best. I don’t expect either side to push for the title this season which will be a rarity in the premier league as you expect to see either Liverpool or Manchester United at the top.

The two sides are shadows of their former selves and have started the season poorly, so why should you be excited? I believe this is the perfect game to get the best out of both sides. Liverpool and Man United both have a good mix of internationally renowned players and homegrown English talent – who will understand the magnitude of this game. Expect the atmosphere to be bouncing and a real tight game that neither team will want to lose this early in the season.

Who to put in your fantasy football team.

Wayne Rooney – It would be pretty hard not to pick a player who has just scored his 50th England goal.

Wayne Rooney has been at Man Untied for 11 years now and he knows more than anyone the importance of the fixture against Liverpool, combine this with the fact that Wayne is a boyhood Everton fan and you have a recipe for Fantasy Football success. Rooney has had a week of scrutiny as many have downplayed his England exploits; he is also yet to score in the premiership leading to many doubting his pedigree as a number nine. What better way for Wayne to silence critics than a goal or two against Liverpool, you can never knock Rooney’s hunger, but I expect him to be especially feisty during this weekend’s Liverpool fixture. If he doesn’t get a goal I’m sure his performance will pick up some points for you Fantasy Football fans.

What’s the score?

Everton vs. Chelsea

0 – 2

Harry’s thoughts: The international break will do Chelsea some good and fans should be optimistic after seeing Hazard bag two goals in two games for Belgium, including a late winner against Cyprus.

Arsenal vs. Stoke

2 - 1

Harry’s thoughts: Arsenal have a 100% home record against Stoke and I don’t see that changing this weekend.

Crystal Palace vs. Man City

1 – 3

Harry’s thoughts: Man City have been unbelievable this season and the addition of De Bruyne will only make them stronger, I don’t want to jinx another team by saying this, but Palace should be responsible for Man City conceding their first goal of the season.

Norwich vs. Bournemouth

1 - 1

Harry’s thoughts: The first battle between promoted teams should end in a draw as both sides will be too afraid to make a mistake.

Watford vs. Swansea

0 - 2

Harry’s thoughts: I don’t expect the international break to slow down Swansea, who have started in excellent form.

West Brom vs. Southampton

0 - 2

Harry’s thoughts: Southampton have started to get used to life without Schneiderlin and should come back from the international break ready to kick on with their season.

Man Utd vs. Liverpool

2 - 1

Harry’s thoughts: An impossible fixture to predict, I have gone with Man United to just edge it because they have been playing a little bit better than Liverpool.

Sunderland vs. Tottenham

1 - 2

Harry’s thoughts: After Harry Kane’s two England goals this week I expect him to return to White Hart Lane motivated and will be integral in securing Spurs first win of the season.

Leicester vs. Aston Villa

2 - 2

Harry’s thoughts: I expect Leicester to slow down with their incredible form and the International break will be an interruption to their fantastic start.

West Ham vs. Newcastle

1 - 1

Harry’s thoughts: These two are probably the most unpredictable sides this season so who knows what the score is going to be. I have gone for the classic 1 – 1 draw.